COST Action 819: Entomopathogenic nematodes, supercedes Action 812: Cold active lines of insect parasitic nematodes in Agriculture and Biotechnology. It functions in the field of Agriculture and Biotechnology and began in July 1994 and will end in May, 1999. The main objective is to combine interrelated European expertise to increase the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in integrated pest management and to reduce the need for chemical control. Coordination of the Action is the responsibility of a management committee in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding, which has been signed by representatives of 17 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. A research institute in Israel is also participating. Over 40 research institutions and 10 commercial companies participate in Action 819. The EU funding meets the costs related to coordination including the scientific secretariat, workshops, management committee and working group meetings, publications, short term scientific missions and evaluations.

No abstract

A type specimen of Steinernema kraussei and a population of this nematode from the type host were compared with three species of Neoaplectana. No characters were found to separate the two genera and so Neoplectana Steiner, 1929 is considered to be a junior synonym of Steinernema Travassos, 1927. Valid species now included within the genus Steinernema are: S. kraussei (Steiner, 1923) Travassos, 1927 (type species); S. glaseri (Steiner, 1929) ncomb.; S. feltiue (Filipjev, 1934) n.comb. and S. bibionis (Bovien, 1937) n.comb. A key is given to these four species and their junior synonyms are listed.

Morphometrics of four Canadian, three US and two European isolates representing distinct geographic populations of Steinernema kraussei (Steiner, 1923) were compared and analysed by multivariate analysis. A total of 540 individuals (270 males and 270 third-stage infective juveniles) representing the nine populations was measured. Fourteen morphometric variables were selected and subjected to principal component and canonical analyses. Results from both analyses indicate that there are morphological differences among the studied isolates, and that these differences are congruent with their geographic origin. The European isolates were shown to be distinctly different from the North American isolates. Within the North American isolates, the western isolates were distinguished from the eastern one (Parishville). No significant differences were observed between the two European isolates studied. Ont été comparées et étudiées par analyse multivariable les caractéristiques morphométriques de quatre isolats canadiens, trois isolats américains et deux isolats européens représentant des populations géographiques distinctes de Steinernema kraussei. Un total de 540 individus (270 mâles et 270 juvéniles infestants de troisième stade) représentant les neuf populations a été mesuré. Quatorze variables morphométriques ont été sélectionnées et soumises à des analyses en composantes principales et canonique. Les résultats des deux analyses montrent qu’il existe des différences morphologiques entre les isolats étudiés et que ces différences sont congruentes avec leur origine géographique. Les isolats européens sont apparus comme étant nettement différents des isolats nordaméricains. Dans le groupe des isolats nord-américains, les isolats de l’ouest ont été différenciés de celui de l’est (Parishville). Aucune différence significative n’a été observé entre les deux isolats européens étudiés.

No abstract